Bagnaia after foot surgery: Is there enough time for his Ducati farewell in Portimão?

• Surgery on 10 November in Turin: a plate stabilises the fourth metatarsal of his right foot
• Only ten days lie between the operation and the first practice session in Portimão
• On 1 December, Bagnaia has his first test on the Aprilia in Valencia

The first step back onto the bike has been taken. On Tuesday morning, surgeons in Turin operated on Francesco Bagnaia’s right foot, three days after his heavy crash in the Lusail sprint. Ducati reports that the procedure was successful. For the two-time MotoGP world champion, this marks the start of a race against time, because only two race weekends remain of his final season with the Ducati factory team.

What was done during Bagnaia’s operation?

The medical team led by Dr. Luigi Milano at the Humanitas Cellini clinic in Turin fixed a plate to the fourth metatarsal of his right foot. The plate holds the bone in the correct position so that it can heal in a stable way.

In the sprint, the 29-year-old broke two bones, the fourth and the fifth metatarsal. The metatarsals connect the tarsus to the toes and carry a lot of load when walking and bracing. On the bike, the right foot also operates the rear brake.

The decision to operate was already made in Qatar. After the first examination at the circuit’s medical centre, Bagnaia was taken to a hospital in Doha on Saturday evening. There, doctors and the team decided that he would have surgery in Italy. He flew home on Sunday, and Ducati announced the operation for Monday or Tuesday. He was unable to take part in Sunday’s race.

Ducati remains cautious about what happens next. Bagnaia is to start rehabilitation as quickly as possible. The team’s statement reads: “His progress over the next few days will determine the exact timeline for his return to competition.”

How did the fractures in the Qatar sprint happen?

Fermin Aldeguer ran into the back of Bagnaia’s bike at the final corner of the first lap. The Gresini rider wanted to pass Pedro Acosta on the inside but braked too late and hit the rear wheel of the factory Ducati with his front wheel.

Bagnaia was thrown high into the air and landed hard. The race was red-flagged, and marshals carried the Italian away on a stretcher. He was conscious throughout. The crash was also bitter from a sporting point of view: Bagnaia had qualified fifth and was on course for the podium in the early stages of the sprint.

According to former MotoGP rider Sylvain Guintoli, the fact that he got away with fractures in his foot is also down to protective equipment. As a TV pundit for TNT Sports, he pointed out how much the airbags in racing leathers have developed. In an impact with such forces, they now absorb a large part of the energy.

Can Bagnaia race at the Portuguese Grand Prix?

That remains open. Ducati has not given a date, but Bagnaia himself is determined to start in Portimão. The race weekend runs from 20 to 22 November, which leaves only ten days between the operation and the first practice session.

Team manager Davide Tardozzi had already described in Qatar how determined his rider is. When the team said goodbye to Bagnaia at the airport, his goal was clear: he wanted to be there in Portugal. At the same time, Tardozzi stressed that the operation had to be completed and the doctors had to give the green light before any decision could be made. How the foot develops in the days after the procedure is also important.

Tuesday’s statement makes no mention of Portimão. In Italy, too, a start in Portugal is considered difficult given the tight schedule. Doctors and the team want to monitor the healing day by day and only then decide.

Why are Valencia and 1 December so important for Bagnaia?

Bagnaia’s time at Ducati ends in Valencia, after which he moves to Aprilia. Tardozzi has no doubt that Bagnaia will be there for the season finale from 27 to 29 November.

For Bagnaia, this brings a long story to an end. In six years with the factory team, he won 31 MotoGP races and two world titles. From 2027 he will ride for Aprilia, with a four-year contract in Noale running until 2030. Saying goodbye to Ducati with a race rather than from the injury list is therefore an important goal for him.

The second date Bagnaia does not want to miss comes straight after the finale. On 1 December, he will ride the Aprilia for the first time at the test at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo, already with the 850 cc engine. This first test is particularly valuable for his preparation for the new season.

It is already Bagnaia’s second operation this year. During the summer break, he had surgery on his right forearm and was back in time for Silverstone.

How is Bagnaia himself dealing with the setback?

Bagnaia is looking ahead and above all wants to take the positives from the weekend. On Instagram, he called Qatar one of the best weekends of his season despite the crash.

He wrote that it felt strange to say so. Sometimes things just don’t work out, no matter how hard you try. He had been frustrated for too long this year, so he wanted to hold on to the good side of Lusail. He reassured his fans with the words “Thank you all for your messages. I’m okay.”

He has a difficult season behind him. He is ninth in the championship standings with 173 points. He no longer plays a role in the title fight of the 2026 MotoGP season, where his teammate Marc Marquez, with a 60-point lead over Jorge Martin, can already clinch his eighth premier-class title in Portimão.

Frequently Asked Questions